Showing posts with label battles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label battles. Show all posts

Sunday, May 1, 2016

BOUDICA, WARRIOR QUEEN by Shirley Martin


Throughout  past centuries, the island of Britain has endured successive waves of invaders.  First came the Celts, then the Romans, the Anglo-Saxons, the Vikings, and finally the Normans.  All of these groups settled in Britain and permanently altered life on the island.  (Here we will use Celt  and Briton interchangeably.)

Around  3,500 B.C. it was the Celts who first  cultivated land and raised crops.  They spoke a Celtic language.  Their chariots were made of wicker, light and springy. Theirs was an Iron Age civilization, considered  backward  by the Romans who landed  on the island in 43 A.D.  At the time of the Roman invasion, Britain was  populated  by Celtic tribes.  One tribe was the Iceni who lived in what is now Norfolk.  The Iceni were Boudica’s tribe, relatively isolated and culturally backward.

Into this Celtic-speaking, backward country, the Romans came with their legions in 43 A.D.  Many tribes, especially those with strong trading contacts, welcomed the Romans or at least submitted without a fight.  Other tribes fought and were  defeated.  The Iceni of Norfolk submitted.  In due time, the British kings placed themselves under the protection of the Roman Empire.  Among these kings was Prasutagus of the Iceni.  In the circumstances of his deal with the Romans lies the origin of the great revolt of 60 A.D.  Prasutagus’s wife was Boudica.  (Her name means Victoria.)  The Iceni were relatively isolated, cut off behind the forests of Suffolk and Norfolk.

The Romans let the Iceni  retain some privileges  and a token independence in return for a payment of tribute and disbursements.

In time, many tribes came to resent Roman rule, especially when the Romans forbade them to carry arms except for hunting weapons.  In 50 A.D. the Iceni were the first people to rebel, and they immediately sought help from their neighbors.  The revolt was a minor affair but was symptomatic of Celtic resentment against Roman rule.

What is known today as Colchester was a site chosen by the Romans as a model town.  However, this meant that the Romans took land away from the Celts who needed that land to grow crops.  Towns were an innovation in British life in the 50s and were unknown before the Roman conquest.  High Street in Colchester was the main shopping center, then as now.

Most of what we know as Boudica’s rebellion we learn from Tacitus, a Roman historian.
Amazon

Prasutagus died in 60 A.D.  After he died, Roman agents moved into Iceni  country and plundered the royal  household.  Boudica was flogged and her daughters given to Roman slaves to be raped.   This  prompted  the Iceni  revolt, and other tribes joined them.  Colchester was the first object of this revolt, and isolated Roman  settlers on their farms were the first to be murdered.  The Iceni began a reign of terror.

The Roman governor, Suetonius, could not come to help the Roman settlers, for he was far away, attacking the druidic stronghold on the island of Anglesey.

Boudica surrounded Colchester and  burned the town.  With their great supply of fine horses, the Iceni and their allies moved quickly.  They destroyed other towns and settlements.  They moved south and attacked London, a Roman creation.

After the Roman governor, Suetonius, destroyed the druidic stronghold, he rushed to aid his fellow Romans.  He realized that London could not be saved.  The Iceni  continued with their terror tactics, cutting throats, hanging, burning and crucifying.

With London destroyed,  Boudica had reached a moment of decision.  What should she do now?  She decided to follow Suetonius and attempt to deal a decisive blow.

After the fall of London, Suetonius fell back on a base, where he would find the reinforcements he’d already ordered.

At the final  battle, the Roman numbers may have been around 7,000 to 8,000 legionaries, with 4,000 auxiliary and cavalry.  In front of them, the British on foot and on horses spread over a wide area and kept up a terrific racket to frighten the Romans.  They were so confident of victory that they stationed their wives and families to watch the slaughter.

We don’t know for sure the numbers of the British army; it has been estimated at 100,000.  Some say they numbered 1,000,000.  We can say with confidence that the Romans were heavily outnumbered.

Both leaders gave pep talks to their followers, Boudica to the British and Suetonius to the Romans.  We don’t know for sure what Boudica said to her warriors, but most likely Boudica taunted  the men with these words: “Win the battle or perish.  That’s what I, a woman, will do.  You men can live on in slavery if that’s what you want.”

We are more certain of Suetonius’s words to the Romans, for most likely his talk was recorded by Agricola, the father-in-law of Tacitus.  “Ignore the racket made by these savages.  There are more women than men in their ranks.  They’re not soldiers; they’re not even properly equipped.  We’ve beaten them before, and when they see our weapons  and feel  our spirit they’ll  crack.  Stick together.  Throw the javelins, then push forward.  Knock them  down with your shields and finish them off with your swords.  Forget about booty.  Just win, and you’ll have the lot. “

A brave and gallant woman, Boudica was no strategist, nor were the other Britons.  Here, the Britons had no chance, in spite of their superior numbers.  In fact, their numbers made the situation worse.  Also, they had no  body armor, no  protection against the javelins thrown at them.   Driven against their carts, the Britons were slaughtered, even when they tried to surrender.  The Romans were mad with blood lust, driven by revenge.  With no means of escape, men, women, children and pack animals were killed.  Tacitus gives the number at 80,000.  The Romans lost 400.

Realizing defeat, Boudica poisoned herself and was buried secretly with great honor.  Famine, devastation and slavery was the lot of the remaining Iceni.

The Romans remained in Britain for another four-hundred years.


My comment:  It’s ironic that the Romans considered the Celts as culturally backward.  It was they (the Romans) who held their bloody shows in the arena, when gladiators fought each other to the death, or battled wild animals.  Think of Nero’s persecution of the early Christians, when even young children were burned to death.

For that matter, it was the Celts who invented soap (sopa.) while the Romans applied oil and scraped it off their skin.)


Please check out my website.  www.shirleymartinauthor.com
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https://twitter.com/mshirley1496
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http://bookswelove.net/authors.martin-shirley

Books We Love titles are available at Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, the Apple istore and at other sites where ebooks are available online.  Four of my titles are in print and available at your local bookstore.



Wednesday, August 27, 2014

THE THRILL OF STARTING A NEW NOVEL by Vijaya Schartz


I just started writing Book 6 in the CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE medieval fantasy romance series, and I am so excited about it. I do not have a title, yet, but I have a plot, and strong characters. This novel is going to take the reader on the greatest adventure of the middle ages, the First Crusade.


The heroine is Melusine's sister Palatina, an erudite with a curious mind. At the end of Book 2, Pagan Queen, she was fifteen, and for making a dreadful mistake, she ended up with a curse, condemned to guard her father's treasure in a secret cave in the Pyrenees... until a knight of her own lineage comes to claim it for a worthy cause. This is definitely a romance despite all the action. I have a yummy hero in chain mail, a shiny French Christian knight, Pierre de Belfort, and I'm already falling in love with him, so I know you ladies will love him, too.

I'm following the historical frame to the letter, since the story of the First Crusade is well known and well documented. Like in the other books, I also rely on the legends to fill the gaps and explain some of the many fantastic feats reported by the historians of the time. Like the other novels, this one will be filled with battles, adventure, intrigue, heroic feats, and deadly villains.

In this book, however, I'm turning the tables on the reader. This is a departure from the previous stories. While Melusine remained stubbornly Pagan despite the religious persecutions, Palatina is more inclined to explore the new Christian faith. For that she will incur the full wrath of the Pagan Goddess.

But I don't want to reveal too much. I should be finished writing in early 2015. That gives you time to catch up with the other books in the Curse of the Lost Isle series.

Latest release from Vijaya Schartz:
Chatelaine of Forez
Curse of the Lost Isle Book 5
Medieval Fantasy Romance
from Books We Love Limited
in kindle:

1028 AD - Afflicted by the ondine curse, Melusine seeks the soul of her lost beloved in the young Artaud of Forez, who reigns over the verdant hills south of Burgundy, on the road of pilgrims, troubadours and merchants. But this dark and brooding Pagan lord is not at all what she expected or even hoped. He knows nothing of their past love, her Fae nature, or her secret curse. Must Melusine seduce and betroth this cold stranger to satisfy the Goddess and redeem her curse?

The gold in the rivers instills greed in the powerful, and many envy the rich Lord of Forez, including his most trusted vassals... even the Bishop of Lyon. When Artaud’s attraction to Melusine makes them the target of a holy hunt, will she find redemption from the curse, or will they burn at the stake?


Each book in the series can be read individually, but if you are like me, you'll want to read them in the right order. Here it is:

Book 1 - Princess of Bretagne http://amzn.com/B007K1EGAM
Book 2 - Pagan Queen http://amzn.com/B007Z8F7IA
Book 3 - Seducing Sigefroi http://amzn.com/B008LW18EG
Book 4 - Lady of Luxembourg http://amzn.com/B00BO0MYX6
Book 5 - Chatelaine of Forez http://amzn.com/B00I3T9VYG

Special edition box set of the first three novels (Curse of the Lost Isle) also available for a bargain price. http://amzn.com/B0091HX7EE

"Well written and factual, the book weaves history with fantasy and magic into a story that I could not put down." 5-stars on Amazon

HAPPY READING!

Vijaya Schartz

Friday, June 27, 2014

A taste of the Middle Ages, by Vijaya Schartz

People in the Middle Ages seemed much closer to nature than we are today. Surrounded by forests, they bathed in rivers, or communal baths in castles before dining, in order to allow the guests to clean the dust of the roads and meet each other before the banquet. Did I mention that the baths were for both genders at the same time. Of course, that was in France, before the Catholic Church slammed down on public nudity... which later led to the spread of diseases.

This kind of research is fascinating. I had to visit the castles of Forez and speak with the curators of each museum to find out about all these details of early medieval life. Hope you enjoy discovering them in my latest release.
Here is an excerpt of Chatelaine of Forez, set in France in the eleventh Century, from the Curse of the Lost Isle medieval fantasy romantic series. The heroine is bathing in a sacred spring. Enjoy!
CHATELAINE OF FOREZ:
Only $2.99 in kindle 

Chapter One

March 1028 AD - Forez (now in central France)

Melusine stopped singing and shuddered in the cool water. Someone was coming. Fast approaching hooves trampled the underbrush. She straightened and gripped the well worn sides of the rectangular stone basin. Birds and insects had ceased their chirping. Through the trees, a single horseman on a black stallion galloped up the forested path to the sacred spring where she bathed.

How had he crossed the magic barrier she'd erected down the hill? Could he be an immortal like her?

She glanced at her blue robes, left in the middle of the clearing, at the foot of the tall, standing stone hugging the statue of the Great Goddess. Too far away. No time to step out of the catch basin and retrieve them. With a flurry of the hand, she wove a quick invisibility spell and willed the water around her to still.

Her heart stumbled for a beat or two. This could be the blessed day the Great Goddess had promised her. The day she finally met her former beloved... Sigefroi. Although, in his new incarnation, he wore another name.

The horseman emerged from the curtain of trees, impossibly tall, dark, muscular, in black leather gear, a crossbow across his back. A sword slapped his thigh, and a hunting knife adorned his belt. Half a dozen bloody hares hung from the back of his saddle. Definitely not her beloved Sigefroi. What now?

The stranger glanced at her, raised a dark brow and nodded a salute from the saddle. A restrained smile touched his lips. How could he possibly see her through the invisibility spell? But he'd already crossed her privacy barrier. Fae blood definitely coursed through his veins.

Melusine shrunk into her chilly bath, dreading to face him naked.

It could be worse. It could be the first Wednesday of the month, when the curse made her a serpent from the waist down. In this increasingly Christian land, discovery in ondine form could cost her to burn at the stake.

Since the local Christians avoided Pagan shrines, however, the stranger must be of the old faith.

She took a deep breath and made her voice as formidable and intimidating as she could. "Who dares violate the sacred spring of the Great One?"

"Count Artaud of Forez." The deep baritone rang loud and clear.

Melusine's heartbeat faltered. Not an immortal, but worse. "Artaud of Forez?"

"I own this land, and methinks you are the one trespassing." He dismounted with surprising agility for his size, sliding off the saddle like an acrobat.

Melusine scrutinized the young man. According to the Goddess, Artaud had inherited the soul of her late Sigefroi, but how could it be, when they looked like opposites. Where Sigefroi had been wiry and fair, with gold reddish hair and a clear gaze, Artaud had broad shoulders, straight black hair, a hale face, and a dark, brooding gaze, as deep as a lake on a moonless night. Both looked fearsome, but in different ways.

Count Artaud led his prancing stallion closer to the large rectangular basin where she bathed.

Dear Goddess! Heat crept up Melusine's cheeks. She gathered her legs and encircled her knees with her arms for modesty. "How dare you!"

"My horse is thirsty." His voice held a subtle challenge.

The black stallion snorted as its master freed him. The beast drank noisily from the far end of the long basin.

Count Artaud cast her a sidelong glance, his swarthy, square face unreadable. "The Great One would want to quench an animal's thirst."

"Only a Pagan would know the Great One respects all creatures as equal." Melusine kept her voice even, but anger gripped her insides. How could this Artaud hold the soul of her beloved? He was a cold, dark stranger, not her fiery knight of old.

His brow shot up. "I fear you have me at a disadvantage, my lady. I have never seen you at court or on my estates. Who might you be?"

Although she'd known they would soon meet, Melusine had no ready answer. An ondine? A cursed immortal? The woman you are destined to marry? The love of your past life? The enchantress who might bring your doom? She couldn't find words he might accept, even less understand. While she remembered their lifetime together, he did not.

No sympathy softened the neutral face as his dark stare pierced her. He removed his black leather gloves and sat on a jutting stone next to the well worn edge of the old basin. "Devil got your tongue?"

Visions of hellish creatures flashed upon Melusine's mind at his mention of the devil. Christians believed in the devil... and Christians wanted her dead.

"Melusine..." She cleared her choking voice. "My name is Melusine."

She fancied her first name innocuous enough. Better than Melusine the Fae, immortal, cursed by the Great One, excommunicated First Lady of Luxembourg, the love and the bane of your past existence.

"Lady Melusine..." He rolled the words on his tongue. His dark, liquid eyes softened and unfocused slightly. "An unusual name for an unusual woman."

"‘Tis an ancient name, my lord." Tempted to prod his mind and find out what he thought of her, she stopped herself. If he could see through her spells, and Fae blood coursed through his veins, like Sigefroi, he would be impervious to her magic... but not to her charms.

Changing tactic, she smiled and relaxed against the hollowed stone basin, exposing her submersed nudity through the clear water. "I hear you have done well, Lord Artaud. Your lands of Lyon and Forez thrive, and your people consider you a fair and wise ruler."

He cast her a sidelong glance, then shifted his gaze to the statue of the Great One dominating the clearing. The quenched black stallion walked away a few paces and grazed the luscious grass of the hillock.

Awe widened his eyes as he faced her again. "What else have you heard about me?"

Although Melusine had kept her promise not to spy on Artaud, she knew a few things about him. "The river gold makes you richer than any king. So does the trade on the pilgrimage road to St Jacques of Compostella. Travelers speak highly of your hospitality."

Bird trills and the chirping of insects had resumed, and the sweet scent of wild flowers filled the air with vibrant life.

"What you hear is true." He faced her but kept his gaze at eye level. "I'm also a Pagan count ruling over Christian barons. That alone can get you killed these days."

"Then we have much in common, my lord." Melusine smiled seductively. "Only a devout Pagan would visit the sacred spring and the shrine of the Great One. Why else would you come here?"

He barely cracked a thin smile. "To water my horse."

His jest bothered her. So did his cool response to her charms. Hard as she tried, Melusine could not see in this man any remnant of her past love.

Had she waited these few decades for naught? Had the Great One tricked her? No. The Great One never lied. Still, even though Melusine did not intend to share this stranger's fate, she should warn him of the dangers threatening his rule.

She trailed her fingers on the water surface, blurring it. "This hill is not just a sacred shrine from time immemorial, Lord Artaud."

His dark gaze alighted upon her with a new spark of interest. "State your meaning."

"‘Tis the site of your future castle of Montarcher."

Suspicion narrowed his eyes. "How do you know of my future designs?"

Melusine's heart skipped a beat. "The Great One sees and knows all, my lord. You must build your castle in haste to face the coming dangers."

A muscle in his square jaw jumped. "What dangers?"

"Your enemies are gathering." Melusine didn't know the future, only that Artaud would need help. "Many envy your riches, my lord. Others resent your faith. But from here, you can fend them off."

"Why here?" His tone held curiosity.

Melusine straightened and gazed in the distance. She was destined to protect him, but she felt naught for this stranger. "This is a sacred site, my lord. From here, the statue of the Great One will bless and protect all your lands."

His brow rose and his eyes softened but still stared at her. "Truly?"

Melusine shrank under his scrutiny, wishing she wore clothes. "Truly, my lord."

"Thank you for the warning, my lady." He rose and whistled. His stallion trotted up to him. In one light vault, Artaud landed in the saddle.

Melusine's heart jumped. Had she done right, or had she spoiled everything? In any case, she must speak with the Great One. There must be a mistake. She could never love this dark, brooding man. He was not her long lost love.

HAPPY READING.


Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick

Friday, September 14, 2012

The Siren of Luxembourg

I'm actively working on Book 4 in the CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE series, LADY OF LUXEMBOURG. I am sharing my ups and downs. Ups, mainly, and a few downs. As I write, I realize how challenging is the task I set for myself. Making the reader believe in an immortal afflicted by a curse that makes her an ondine (siren, mermaid) from the waist down one day each month, is no small feat.

Of course, this is a medieval novel, and in the context of the time, it makes more sense. Also, this story was inspired by authentic legends from my native country, France. Legends resonate in our hearts, and even the staunchest scientists now admit that at the origin of these legends resides a kernel of truth. That's the kernel I've been chasing.

Then I discovered that if I believe in my immortal heroine, she breathes life on the page. Melusine is a woman, an immortal, a Fae, descended from angels predating Christianity. After a disastrous mistake, she now follows the righteous path. But for abusing her powers in childhood she is cursed. She seeks redemption, but if the Church ever discovers her true nature, she will burn at the stake....

CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE SERIES:
From history shrouded in myths, emerges a family of immortal Celtic Ladies, who roam the medieval world in search of salvation from a curse. For centuries, imbued with hereditary gifts, they hide their deadly secret... but if the Church ever suspects what they really are, they will be hunted, tortured, and burned at the stake.

If you missed this series, you can find the first three novels in one volume: PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE, PAGAN QUEEN, SEDUCING SIGEFROI, in kindle for a friendly price HERE

Here are athe blurbs for each novel:

PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE:

806 AD - Alba (Ancient Scotland) -
As the Vikings raid the coast of Alba, Pressine of Bretagne sets out to seduce King Elinas of Dumfries, chosen by the Goddess to unite the tribes against the foreign invader. Elinas, still mourning his departed queen, has no intention to remarry. Head-strong and independent, Pressine does not expect to fall for the very attractive, wise and noble ruler... Furthermore, her Pagan nature clashes with the religious fanaticism of the king’s Christian heir, who suspects her unholy ancestry and will stop at nothing to get rid of her.

Reviews:
"I really enjoyed Princess of Bretagne. Kind of reminded me of The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley, with its subtle references to Arthurian legend (I'm a sucker for anything Arthurian). Like Mists, you captured the historical period while weaving in the mystical elements. Since I now have my new kindle, I've added Pagan Queen to my TBR list. After the one I'm reading now, I might just bump it up a notch or two." Kathy Fisher-Brown, author

PAGAN QUEEN:

810 AD - Alba (Ancient Scotland) - Queen at last, Pressine brings victory to her beloved Elinas and prosperity to their growing kingdom. But she has to contend with the intrigues of Charlemagne's bishops, spurred by her Christian stepson. While Elinas, on the battlefield, remains unaware of his son’s machinations, Pressine fends off repeated assaults against her life. She also fears the curse that could bring her downfall. For the love of Elinas, she will tempt fate and become with child. But when her indomitable passion challenges the wrath of the Goddess Herself... can she win that battle?

Reviews:
"Schartz is an accomplished writer, whose pacing, conflicts, and goals are always complex and whose good characters are always likeable, and whose villains are evil incarnate. You have to like her villains as much as the good guys! Mattacks is a magnificent example of this!" - 5 stars - Manic Readers
"...details of the period making that long ago era of history feel alive and vibrant. She’s able to weave in the mystical in a manner that appears natural... Mattacks and his diabolical plans play an important role... he’s a creepy guy... unexpected happenings totally caught me off guard... great plot ploy that I can only assume will pull the series forward... I want to know more..." - Romance Junkies - 4 ribbons


SEDUCING SIGEFROI:

Luxembourg - 963 AD - To offset the curse that makes her a serpent from the waist down one day each month, Melusine, exiled Princess of Strathclyde, must seduce and wed a mortal knight, the shrewd and ambitious Sigefroi of Ardennes.
Sigefroi, son of the Duke of Lorraine, suspects Melusine is not what she appears, but her beauty, her rich dowry, and her sharp political skills serve his ambitions. He never expected her to soften his stone-cold warrior heart.
So close to the Imperial court, dangers and intrigue threaten Melusine. War looms on the horizon, a Mermaid was sighted around Luxembourg, and Sigefroi’s bishop brother questions her ancestry. If anyone ever suspects Melusine’s true nature, she will burn at the stake...

Reviews:
"As always, Schartz spins a great story. It’s a bit bloody and bloodthirsty in places... But that's part of the drama, and Schartz certainly knows drama." Manic Readers 4.5 stars

Happy Reading!

Find out more about me and all my books on my website at:
Find all my books on Amazon

Friday, August 24, 2012

Special Edition, Curse of the Lost Isle - by Vijaya Schartz

The SPECIAL EDITION for the CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE medieval romantic series is out! I must be getting famous!

Find it here: http://amzn.com/B0091HX7EE

This new release includes the first three novels in the series, PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE, PAGAN QUEEN, and SEDUCING SIGEFROI... and all at a super-friendly price!

I am delighted. Whether you love the series, or you haven't read any of the books yet, this is a treat, and a bargain. I'm glad Books We Love decided to make it easy for my loyal readers. And with Book 4, LADY OF LUXEMBOURG, coming out next season, this is the perfect timing.

If you are not familiar with this medieval romantic fantasy series, here is the theme:

From history shrouded in myths, emerges a family of immortal Celtic Ladies, who roam the medieval world in search of salvation from a curse. For centuries, imbued with hereditary gifts, they hide their deadly secret... but if the Church ever suspects what they really are, they will be hunted, tortured, and burned at the stake.

You may also visit my website to enter a contest to win Book 4 when it comes out. Click on CONTEST at the upper right on my website (link below). Good luck!

Hope you enjoy the read, like many already did.
Also visit my website for other series, genres, and titles.

Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com

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